The Tail of Shivas Irons

In my previous blog detailing my “favorite things” about the Society, I promised to share some stories of the amazing people who I have met while sitting at this desk. There have been many, each coming into my life at a time where they inspired me, supported me, or simply made me laugh on a down day. This is the story of Joanne and a dog named Shivas Irons.

As I drove into the Society office on New Year’s Eve, I was glad to put the tragic 2008 year behind me. The loss of my two best friends, my mother-in-law & then my own mother a short two months later, had me walking through each moment in a fog. My inner dialogue was “2009 has to be better, 2009 has got to better!”

As I filtered though the morning’s email, one in particular caught my attention titled “finding Shivas Irons’ family." Family… something I seemed to be losing too soon and too often in 2008. I opened the email from Joanne Schrimpf and read:

I’m looking for the original owner of our dog named Shivas Irons. When we got her, she already had the unusual name. Since she was a 1 year old Brittany Spaniel who had to learn to live in a new household, I decided to leave her name as it was. She's now 12 1/2 years old and is slowing down considerably. I've been trying to locate the family from whom we bought her, to tell them how much we've enjoyed her. But I can't locate them. It occurred to me that perhaps the fellow who was so moved by the tale of Shivas Irons that he'd name his dog after the mystic may also be a member of the Shivas Irons Society.

Assure him, I'm not trying to return her for any bad habits because we don't think she has any.

“as persons who accept and embrace the curious twists and turns we find in life you may be interested in our journey with Shivas because it exemplifies our connectivity in a way that is simply unexplainable.”

I was smiling as I immediately checked the Society’s database for *William, expecting to see his name pop right up.... but no!  How could that be? Anyone who would name their dog Shivas Irons would have to be a member... right? 

YES…. I sent off an email to *William and waited, impatiently checking email and Facebook throughout the day. It became an obsession. I wanted to reunite this family… this dog with the parent she’d left behind. I wanted them to have the chance to say anything that was left unsaid, to do anything left undone. I wanted them to have the closure I was blessed to have with my mother and mother-in-law, even though my heart was still breaking from the lack of their presence.

I have finished reading Golf in the KingdomThe Kingdom of Shivas Irons since my first email to you. Oh, my goodness. If Michael Murphy is correct then the most important thing about MY Shivas Irons is that she found us, in the first place, and although I haven't found Shivas' original owner, we did find all of you nice folks. and

When I answered the ad in the classified section of the Cincinnati Enquirer for a 1 yr old Brittany Spaniel, I hadn't asked the woman for the dog's name. I arrived at the home at the appointed time and heard the poor, frazzled lady calling for the pup who had bolted past her and out the front door, she was hollering, "Chevas, Come here, Chevas." I joined in the chase and once we collected the dog, I asked her about the name as I assumed she was named after Chevas Regal. (I noticed in the books how that mistake was made by several folks, too) But the young mom went on to say that her husband was, "crazy for golf" and there was a golfer/golf club called "Shivas Irons". I didn't understand her very well due to the heightened chaos in the house, 3 screaming kids, a rambunctious dog, me the grief stricken pet owner, so for awhile I thought she meant a brand of irons called Shivas, like Taylor made Woods-I was picturing Shivas made Irons. We didn't change the her name since we thought she was having enough of a challenging being adopted as a 1 yr old.

It wasn't until the Internet was more available and I Googled Shivas Irons that I discovered a mystical golfer not a golf club. It wasn't until last month that the whole mystery was revealed or has it just begun? It's really been quite fun and our sweet pup continues to contribute mightily to our family.

This past week, we’ve learned that our cat and Shivas' companion, Muriel Noel, has a brain tumor. She's 14 1/2 and has had a terrific life with us. The veterinarian is completely flummoxed by her obvious neurological condition because brain tumors are virtually unheard of in cats. The doctor is a creative fellow and quickly was able to control her seizures so this weekend finds her in great shape compared to the nightmare of last Monday afternoon.

I have Brain Tumors on the mind this week and I've never considered them before so I read the story of Larry, hoping to go to St. Andrews, with great interest and with an "Ah ha" attached. Last night, I told my husband that I had some problem spending money on a cat with brain tumors when so many PEOPLE have medical expenses. I was looking for a way to "justify" Noel's care. And there is Larry of the SIS who needs a bit of help. I've made a donation… which I hope can help out a little.

Shivas Irons, the dog, is doing very well. She turned 13 in April. I noticed an interesting golf outing in July The Shivas in the Bluegrass event. Shivas loves a nice car ride so she and I may just take a road trip to send the golfers off on a wonderful round. Bowling Green is just over 3 hours from our home in Portsmouth, Ohio. It may be time for Shivas to meet her people.

The Society is filled with wonderful tales… I'll keep you informed on the "tail" I'll get to see in the beautiful bluegrass of Kentucky.  

As Joanne commented in our recent phone conversation, “it’s a sign from God, Buddha, the universe” that this non-golfer really belongs at this desk… just for the view!